2 Kings 6:1-7--The Axe Head Recovered

2 Kings 6:1-7
English Standard Version

The Axe Head Recovered
6 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” 4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. 7 And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.

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We have heard about "the sons of the prophets" for some time now, but apparently they are men studying under Elisha the prophet and there is lodging for them on his land.  The accommodations now seemed to be too small for their liking, but they were willing to do the work to add on an addition to the place where they were staying if Elisha would give them permission to make the addition--he even agreed to go down tot he Jordan River with them while they were chopping down trees turning them into logs.

When they were felling one of the trees, the head of the axe, which had come loose, flew off and fell into the water of the Jordan River.  The one who borrowed the axe cried out for help from Elisha because he needed to return the axe to the person he borrowed it from.  Elisha asks where the axe head fell and after cutting off a stick, he threw it in the water, and the axe head which was made of iron miraculously floated on top of the water so that the one who borrowed the axe could retrieve it and repair the axe before returning it.

There was no need for Elisha to get involved here.  It was the responsibility of the one who borrowed the axe to make sure the axe head was tight before using it, and it was his responsibility to replace the axe if he couldn't bring it back as he had borrowed it (or better).  Elisha didn't even need to be there, but since he was there, he and the LORD provided assistance because the LORD has compassion on those who are in need--especially those who are his servants like these sons of the prophets.  While the LORD had no obligation to fix the issue, the sons of the prophets immediately called out to the LORD for help (something we don't usually do) and He did help them (something we don't usually expect when we do cry out).  So, there is something here for us to learn from this story by observing the faith of those involved--not just Elisha, but the sons of the prophets and how they immediately asked for help from the LORD and expected Him to help them.